Boosting revenue is name of the game says Calvo

FRANCESCO Calvo, Villa's new president of business operations, has a big job on his hands.

- By JOHN TOWNLEY

The club are restricted in the transfer market by their revenue, which is significantly less than that of the Premier League's 'big six' commercial clubs.

Villa reached the last eight of the Champions League last season, which boosted their coffers as a result of prize money, but they have not been allowed to kick on this summer and spend like their domestic rivals.

Calvo, who replaced Chris Heck earlier this summer, is tasked with expanding the club’s opportunities to bring in money and therefore raise the ceiling of what the football department can spend as a result.

There are certain areas he will look at to generate funds, one of which is stadium naming rights at Villa Park, although Calvo admits that is not at the forefront of his thinking just yet.

“It hasn’t been a top priority up to now,” he said. “We know Villa Park is a historical name and we cannot change the name. That’s a given. But (an alternative) is something we can look at, absolutely, in time.”